PSYCHIC FEVER: Different by Design
Seven members, seven personalities and a sound that refuses to sit neatly within one category. PSYCHIC FEVER have spent the past four years building an identity that moves between Japanese pop, UK garage, Afrobeats, Y2K R&B and trap, while increasingly taking their music beyond Japan and into a global conversation.
Their latest album, DIFFERENT, feels like a natural reflection of that journey. The title is rooted in individuality and change, but there's something more interesting happening beneath it. Rather than attempting to smooth out the differences between them, PSYCHIC FEVER have made those contrasts part of the group's creative strength. With all seven members contributing to the songwriting for the first time, the album offers a closer look at the people behind the performances, their individual instincts and the experiences that have shaped them.
That evolution has happened alongside an increasingly busy international schedule. Performing across Europe has exposed the group to different musical cultures and audiences, influencing both how they approach production and how they understand the relationship between artist and crowd. With an online following of more than 2.7 million, there's also the inevitable tension between creating for an algorithm and creating music that lasts beyond a viral moment.
But perhaps what makes PSYCHIC FEVER compelling is their refusal to be defined by what a Japanese pop group is expected to look or sound like. Their ambitions are global, their influences are wide-ranging and, as the members reveal, their individual identities are almost as varied as the music itself.
Your new album is called DIFFERENT. Why did you choose this title, and what differences do you share as individuals?
RYOGA: The title DIFFERENT carries the message of “differences” and “change.” No two people are exactly the same, and the seven of us are all different in terms of our personalities, strengths, and even our musical roots. It’s because of those differences that we inspire each other, and that’s what allows us to create music and performances that are uniquely PSYCHIC FEVER. Through this album, I hope listeners can feel that it’s okay to be exactly who you are and to embrace your individuality.
This is the first album where all of you have contributed to the songwriting. Did writing together reveal anything about each other that you didn't already know?
JIMMY: I contributed to the songwriting this time, but I often worked alone in the studio on the lyrics. So rather than working directly with the other members, I focused on choosing words that would suit each member and finding pronunciations that could bring out their unique characteristics. I went back and listened to our previous songs, and looked at them from an objective perspective; I rediscovered so many great things about each member’s vocals.
Your music moves between UK garage, Afrobeats, Y2K R&B and trap. Were there any artists or cities that particularly shaped the sound of this record?
WEESA: There isn’t one particular artist who's influenced us. The album reflects all of our experiences and the things we’ve felt throughout our journey.
You've spent a lot of time performing across Europe recently. Has travelling changed the way you think about making music or performing on stage?
TSURUGI: Definitely! When it comes to music production, working on sessions in different places has encouraged us to incorporate a wider variety of genres into our music. Every country has its own music culture and the genres that are popular there, so that has been really inspiring. On stage, I’ve also learned how to communicate with fans from different backgrounds. The more places we perform, the more important the stage has become to me.
Many people still have preconceived ideas about what a Japanese pop group is supposed to sound or look like. Do you feel you're challenging those expectations, or do you ignore them?
JIMMY: I don’t really feel pressured by those expectations. If anything, hearing those kinds of comments makes me feel that we need to represent ourselves even more strongly. I think new forms of music are being created all around the world, not just in J-pop. One of our goals right now is to break through those preconceptions and boundaries and have our music heard by as many people as possible.
Working with Grammy-nominated producer Rykeyz must have brought a different perspective to the studio. What is the biggest lesson you took away from that collaboration?
RYOGA: The biggest thing I felt was his commitment to the sound and his refusal to compromise when it comes to music. There was so much attention to detail in the songs he created for us, from the smallest nuances to every individual sound. Experiencing that level of attention made us realise that we could also push ourselves further and pay even more attention to the details. Being able to work with someone who is active on a global level also raised the standard we aim for as artists.
Your online audience now exceeds 2.7 million followers. How do you balance creating content for social media while staying focused on making meaningful music rather than viral moments?
KOKORO: From the very beginning of the creative process, we always keep in mind that we want our music to naturally become part of our listeners’ everyday lives, and that we want people to be able to enjoy our music itself, not just our performances. Because the seven of us all have different personalities, we also have different ideas about what kind of content we want to create and what we think could go viral. So we find a balance by discussing things with our staff, such as whether something should be posted now or who would be the best fit for a particular type of content.
Success often looks glamorous from the outside. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced as a group that fans rarely get to see?
REN: For me personally, it was taking on vocals. I originally focused on rap, but as I started singing more vocal parts, I found myself taking on something I had never done before. At first, I had no idea what I was supposed to do. But now, I feel that the experience I got from that challenge has become a strength for me, and it has helped me be able to sing as a vocalist for the group today.
Each member has a distinct personality. If someone were meeting PSYCHIC FEVER for the very first time, how would each of you describe your individual personalities within the group in just one sentence?
TSURUGI: Cowboy! I’m someone who stays true to myself, and I’m also a creator. And most importantly, I’m always a happy boy!!!!
RYOGA: I'd say “Creator”. I’m involved not only in our performances, but also in music production, including songwriting and arranging live versions of our songs. Going forward, I want to continue expanding what PSYCHIC FEVER can do through music that only I can create.
REN: I would say “all-rounder.” Right now, I’m involved in dancing, singing, rapping, and beatboxing. I still have a lot to improve, but I want to keep developing the unique appeal of each skill and raise my abilities to a level where everyone can say, “That’s cool.”
JIMMY: Pure. I think I’m able to express through my performance this pure and simple feeling I have toward music and culture.
KOKORO: Contrast. I want people to notice the contrast between my personality in everyday life and the way I am when I’m on stage.
RYUSHIN: Dance. I think everything about my individuality is expressed through my dancing, so I’d really love people to pay attention to that.
WEESA: I would say “Free.” I want to express myself without being bound by any rules or limitations, so I chose this word.
Outside of music, what inspires your creativity? Whether it's fashion, film, books, food or travel, what fills your creative cup when you're not working?
TSURUGI: For me, it’s cowboy culture. I really value being natural and staying true to myself. Being authentic is very important to me, so I try to communicate with people from all kinds of backgrounds and genres. Most of all, I just love going to different places and experiencing new things.
If you could collaborate with any British or European artist, regardless of genre, who would be at the top of your list and why?
RYUSHIN: I’d love to work with FLO! I discovered them recently, and I really love their style of music. R&B is also one of our strengths, so I’d definitely love to collaborate with them.
Looking back at the version of yourselves who began this journey four years ago, what advice would you give them knowing what you know today?
REN: I would tell myself that hard work never betrays you. The fact that I’m able to make a living doing something I love today is also because of the effort I’ve put in. So I would tell my younger self not to give up even when things don’t go well, and to keep working hard and pushing forward.
DIFFERENT is out now
Words by Jheanelle Feanny
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